Working With Variables In Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell variables are quite different compared to the Cmd.exe variables. In Command Prompt, all the variables are environment variables and they can only store a string of text. But in Windows PowerShell, variables can store more than just text; they store objects.These variables help you to create reliable scripts.

Creating a Variable

It is easy to create a variable in PowerShell - you just need to validate a variable name with $ character as prefix.

Example 

PS C:\ > $myName

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Note - Variable names start with $ character.

Assigning a value

To assign a value to a variable, use assignment ( = ) operator.

Example

PS C:\> $myName = “Rakesh Vemulawada”

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Find the Type of a Variable 

To identify the type of a variable, use GetType( ) method.

Example

PS C:\ > $myName.GetType( )

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List Information about the Content of a Variable

To display information about the content of a variable, use Get-Member

Example

PS C:\ > $myName | Get-Member

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ToUpper ( )

To Convert a String variable to its Upper case, use ToUpper( ) method

Example

PS C:\> $myName.ToUpper()

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Automatic and Preference variables ( Variable) 

PowerShell provides us the Variable : drive using which we can access all the automatic and preference variables in Windows PowerShell. Use the below syntax to view these variables. 

Syntax

PS C:\> Get-ChildItem Variable,

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List of Automatic and Preference variables

Automatica Variables

These variables tell you something about the Windows PowerShell’s current state. 

Example

PS C:\> $PWD.Path --> Gives you Current path. 

Preference Variables

These variables allow us to change a user preference. 

Example

PS C:\> $ErrorActionPreference =”Stop”

Environment Variables ( Env) 

You can access all the Environment variables using Env: drive. These variables contain important information about the computer system.

Syntax

PS C:\> Get-ChildItem Env:

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List of Environment Variables in Windows PowerShell

To Display Computer Name

Example

PS C:\> $Env:ComputerName

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